New waste incinerators in England will only receive planning approval if they meet stringent local and environmental requirements, the government has announced.
The move comes as almost half of all local authority-collected waste in 2022/23 was incinerated, leading to concerns over lost recycling opportunities and environmental impacts.
Tougher requirements for waste facilities
Under the new measures, any proposed waste incineration project must demonstrate efficiency and alignment with economic growth, net zero targets, and the transition to a circular economy.
Developers will be required to show that their projects help reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste going to landfill or facilitate the replacement of outdated, less efficient incineration plants.
Additionally, new facilities must be constructed with future carbon capture capabilities and have clear plans for utilising the heat they produce, including for industrial applications and heating networks.
To receive an environmental permit, new incineration plants will need to comply with existing high standards on air pollution and other environmental factors, which will be closely regulated by the Environment Agency.
This requirement aims to address public concerns about air quality while ensuring that incinerators provide tangible community benefits.
Balancing capacity with waste reduction goals
The Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note, published alongside the government’s announcement, suggests that the new restrictions on incineration projects will not negatively impact the UK’s waste processing capacity.
Current projections indicate that by 2035, energy-from-waste (EfW) plants will be capable of handling 18.8 million tonnes of residual waste annually.
However, with the introduction of government waste reforms—such as Simpler Recycling, the Deposit Return Scheme, and Extended Producer Responsibility—the nation is expected to generate only 17.6 million tonnes of non-recyclable waste by 2042, reducing the demand for additional incineration plants.
Mary Creagh, Circular Economy Minister, emphasised the significance of the policy shift, stating: “For too long, England has relied on burning household waste instead of supporting communities to keep valuable resources in circulation.
These new conditions for energy-from-waste plants will ensure that only efficient, net zero-aligned projects receive approval.”
Incineration remains a transitional solution
Despite efforts to curb incineration, it remains a preferable alternative to landfill, contributing approximately 3% of the UK’s total energy generation.
Facilities that integrate heat export and carbon capture technologies can enhance efficiency and support the government’s Clean Energy Superpower Mission.
Charlotte Rule, Head of Climate and Energy Policy at the Environmental Services Association, welcomed the focus on balanced waste management, stating:
“Recovering energy and materials from residual waste is vital for a circular economy. However, future development must align with changing waste volumes and decarbonisation goals.”
The government will explore ways to ensure that new incinerators are equipped to export heat from the outset, with incentives to encourage rapid deployment.
Developers are urged to consider evolving waste policies and circular economy objectives when planning future projects, as the UK moves towards a more sustainable waste management system.
